Well, to be honest, I don't really know how to start this email! My
emotions are literally ALL over the place. Like literally, I don't even
know how to explain but its crazy! Dying as a missionary is so
different. I have loved every second of the last 18 months and 20 days.
My life has changed forever because of this experience. I am so grateful
for all that I have learned. Now, my time has come that in two days
from now, I will be getting on a plane and coming home. I am excited but
wayyyy more nervous! haha
It all started last Monday night where our 6 and 7 PM lessons were
cancelled and we had some time to find. As we were street contacting, no
one was wanting to talk to us. We went and stopped by a potential's work
and she didn't really want to talk with us either, we then made a
decision to walk down this darkened road. There was one lady on her
phone just standing there. We went up and talked to her and she is a
single mom of two young children. She has been looking for a Christian
Church to start taking her kids to and we were the answer to her prayers
she kept saying. We had the most powerful street lesson with her and
set a baptismal date. Then literally as she was walking away, this man
self contacted us and asked us if our church was in this area and wants
to start coming when he doesn't have work on Sunday! Literally, the
miracles flew in, that night we were also able to pray with some sweet
sisters who will one day accept the gospel!
I am coming home with no regrets...except one...not flossing my teeth regularly...sorry Jeremy! :)
Our investigator, Rachel (張瑞綺) is absolutely phenomenal and is
progressing SO much! We finished teaching her all the commandments this
week and she readily accepted all of them. As we have been able to teach
her over these last three weeks or so, we have seen a HUGE change in
her. She went from being a lady who was extremely depressed and flat out
looking for happiness, who would never smile or laugh, to someone who
is now much more excited, smiling, and laughing all the time with us! We
have been able to spend a lot of time with her and she has also been
able to help us with some projects. Rachel has literally become one of
my best friends! I am so grateful I had this opportunity to meet her and
help her come unto Christ. Our last lesson with her on Monday
afternoon, she expressed to us how music has really played a huge part
in her change. Right there, in the middle of the lesson, we pulled out
some hymn books and I went over to play piano and we listened to I Believe in Christ. It invited the Spirit into the room SO strong. Like
SO strong. Up until then, she had never been willing to set a baptismal
date. She knew that was our purpose but she didn't want to set one until
she knew for herself that the things we were teaching her were
true. Well, after we listened to I Believe in Christ, we invited her
to baptism and she set her own date for May 28 (Mom's birthday!!)
Literally, I have never been so excited for someone to set a baptismal
date. Rachel is so awesome and she could literally get baptized tonight
if she wanted to but she wants to give herself just a little more time
to become more familiar with the Scriptures and adjust more to the
church schedule which is a little hard for her. I never knew how much
love I could have for someone not in my family. I literally feel like
Rachel is my older sister. I LOVE her so much! It has been so amazing to
see how the gospel has changed her life already so much in just a
little under a month.
Zhou Min Yu: Sister Wong and I went on splits after church on
Sunday to have a lesson with some of the investigators we had at church
on Sunday. I taught Zhou JieMei. She is the mom of the two CRAZY boys.
We taught her the Plan of Salvation. I also love Zhou JM to death! She
is literally so amazing. What a blessing it is that she found the
church. She desires so much to learn and to help her boys have
successful lives. What a sacrifice she is doing for her boys. And let me
tell you, her boys are crazy!!! Some of the most active, hyper, 調皮,
boys ever. But I love them!! Zhou JM will also be getting baptized the
end of May just as she finished the lessons with the missionaries.
Tang DX: He is a 21 year old, lock dancer, college student. As we
sit down to meet with him Monday night, we were under the impression
that he has yet to read any of the Book of Mormon.. Well, much to our
surprise, he came in and had read the entire book of Ether. He said he
randomly chose a book and decided to read it all (good thing he didn't
chose Alma right??) haha He loved reading and he understands so much. He
is majoring in History and I think that helps him really be able to
understand the Scriptures. He has a very strong desire to be baptized.
We discussed more about his work and how he can't start coming to church
till the middle of May. He teaching a math class at a cram school. We
set a baptismal date for June 18 (Dad's birthday!!) and he said he is
certain he wants to be baptized then! AWWW MIRACLES!!
As I sat down in Sacrament Meeting this last Sunday, it hit me
really hard that it was going to be my last three hour church in
Chinese. WOW. Has time flown. I remember my very first back in TouFen
and I couldn't understand like anything! Now, it has changed so much.
Not only has the language barrier been broken down but I feel like
throughout my mission, my love for attending church and the knowledge of
the need to weekly partake of the Sacrament has become something so
near and dear to my heart. I look forward to attending church. My
testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is stronger than ever. I know
for a fact that Christ Atoned for you and me. He did it so we can be
happy. Through the Atonement, Christ can fully understand our every
feeling. He loves us. Through the atonement, we are able to repent of
our sins and overcome death so that we can once again return to live
with our Father in Heaven.
On Sunday, us, the Elders and RuiCong each sang I am a Child of
God/I Have a Savior in Sacrament Meeting and I was asked to bear my
testimony. Wow. What a powerful song. I know we are all God's Children.
HE LOVES US!
These last 18 Months have literally been the most happiest, joyful
months of my entire life. I can honestly say my mission has changed me
for the better for the rest of my life and into the eternities. I have
been able to witness the lives of the Taiwanese change and I have also
been able to watch my own life change. The mission has been filled with
so many different experiences. It all hasn't been a nice country
drive. I've had to drive up and down hills and plow through mountains of
rocks, but these experiences have changed me for the better. They have
helped me become the person I have become today.
I know with out a doubt that this church, The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living church on the
earth today. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through the
prophet Joseph Smith restored the church with its full Priesthood power
so we can enjoy the blessings we receive through righteous living on the
earth. I know through the power of God Joseph Smith translated the Book
of Mormon. I know the Book of Mormon is true. It is Another Testament
of Jesus Christ. I love the words of Joseph Smith, “I told the brethren
that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and
the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by
abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” I know with all my
heart this is true. I treasure the words of the Book of Mormon. I know
the Plan of Salvation is a perfect plan. I know we will one day be able
to return and live in the Celestial Kingdom if all we do now is to
continue developing our faith in Jesus Christ, repent daily, weekly
renew our baptismal covenant by attending church and partaking of the
Sacrament, keeping the commandments and ENDURING!
Being a full-time missionary for the Lord for me might be coming to
a close. I am going to soon have to take of my name tag in which I have
worn on my chest with pride for 18 months. But I will never not be a
missionary. I will continue walk on the path to eternal life helping
others on my way join me. Everything we do to obtain Eternal life is
WORTH IT.
The hardest thing for me I know is going to be getting on the plane
Friday morning and flying home. My heart is literally here in Taiwan. I
love the people here, the culture, and the atmosphere. I have treasured
all the areas I have served in. I know Heavenly Father has truly sent
me to be in all the areas that I needed to learn and bless the lives of
the people who lived in those areas. I am grateful for all the
companions I have had. They have also changed my life.
I am closing a chapter of my life and opening the doors to a new
one. It seems crazy to think about. But, I am grateful. I am eternally
grateful.
I am coming home with no regrets...except one...not flossing my teeth regularly...sorry Jeremy! :)
I LOVE YOU ALL. SEE YOU SOON!
Sister Haacke
I will be giving my Homecoming talk on April 24th at 1 PM. I hope to see you all there!
7940 N 35th W
Sister Haacke
I will be giving my Homecoming talk on April 24th at 1 PM. I hope to see you all there!
7940 N 35th W
IDAHO FALLS IDAHO 83402
This morning, we got special permission to wake up early and go watch
the sunrise. We woke up at 4:10 AM this morning to meet the rest of our
district and a few members and investigators to sit and watch the
sunrise together. What a beautiful world Heavenly Father has created for
us.
Zhou Min Yu and her boys.
Li Xun's home (above and below).
Tang DX
Eating at May's home.
Ward activity.